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47326 results for "boston red sox"
Boston Red Sox AL East
Kelly on Allen Craig: He's going to dominate
Kyle Brasseur, Special to ESPNBoston.comMASHANTUCKET, Conn. -- Before Allen Craig even had the chance to speak for himself Saturday at the Red Sox's Baseball Winter Weekend event, his teammate Joe Kelly put the word out on what to expect from him in 2015 to a group of reporters. "He's g...
Blog | January 26, 2015 -
Boston Red Sox Hall of Famer Bill Monbouquette dies due to compli...
Kyle BrasseurThe Boston Red Sox announced Tuesday the passing of team Hall of Famer Bill Monbouquette due to complications from leukemia. Monbouquette, 78, died on Sunday at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston.
Story | Conversation | January 26, 2015 -
Red Sox set with starting five?
AJ MassAs the Boston Red Sox look ahead to the 2015 season, their entire rotation has seemingly gotten a face-lift, with Rick Porcello, Wade Miley, Justin Masterson, Joe Kelly and Clay Buchholz set to handle starting duties for the club. Mike Petriello ...
Blog | January 26, 2015 -
The Boston Red Sox don't need an ace right now - MLB
Mike PetrielloMike Petriello examines the Red Sox rotation and finds it to have much more 2015 upside than most pundits seem to believe, then notes there should be plenty of top pitchers available at the trade deadline, listing a few options.
Story | Conversation | January 26, 2015 -
Photo results for "boston red sox"
FILE: Martinez, Johnson, Smoltz, Biggio Elected Into HOF
January 06, 2015 -
FILE: Martinez, Johnson, Smoltz, Biggio Elected Into HOF
January 06, 2015 -
FILE: Martinez, Johnson, Smoltz, Biggio Elected Into HOF
January 06, 2015 -
FILE: Martinez, Johnson, Smoltz, Biggio Elected Into HOF
January 06, 2015
The latest on Shields
AJ MassIt's still anybody's guess as to where James Shields will end up pitching in 2015, and there truly isn't any clear favorite emerging from the field of interested candidates. Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe writes that the Boston Red Sox were amo...
Blog | January 25, 2015 -
Porcello can't help but look ahead to what might be
Kyle BrasseurMASHANTUCKET, Conn. -- A year away from free agency, it's hard for Boston Red Sox pitcher Rick Porcello not to think about what he could make if he was to hit the open market. Just look at his former teammate, Max Scherzer. Scherzer entered this o...
Blog | January 24, 2015 -
Audio results for "boston red sox"
The Dan Le Batard Show: NBA trade, Baseball HOF & Wiley love advi...
January 06, 2015 -
Baseball Tonight - Offseason Special
December 03, 2014 -
ESPN LA Now [hr1]
November 24, 2014 -
Baseball Tonight - Buck Showalter
September 10, 2014
Napoli rejuvenated after dramatic surgery
Gordon EdesMASHANTUCKET, Conn. -- "Have you ever had a bad night's sleep?" Mike Napoli asked. "For eight years, I never had a good night's sleep." The Red Sox first baseman suffered from a condition known as obstructive sleep apnea, a disorder in which breat...
Blog | January 24, 2015 -
Joe Kelly predicts AL Cy Young award win
Kyle Brasseur | Special to ESPNBoston.comMASHANTUCKET, Conn. -- Boston Red Sox pitcher Joe Kelly went on the radio Saturday at the team's Baseball Winter Weekend to let listeners know he plans on winning the American League Cy Young award next season. He didn't back down when asked about...
Blog | January 24, 2015 -
Dustin Pedroia predicts big things for 2015
Gordon EdesMASHANTUCKET, Conn. -- It's not often an owner gets to do some trash-talking about a player, and Boston Red Sox chairman Tom Werner wasn't about to pass up the chance. That's how Dustin Pedroia found himself on the other end of a pingpong table facin...
Blog | January 24, 2015 -
Sandoval, Ramirez look forward to spring
Kyle Brasseur | Special to ESPNBoston.comMASHANTUCKET, Conn. -- As snow fell upon the Foxwoods Resort Casino on Saturday, where the Boston Red Sox held their Baseball Winter Weekend event, two of the team's newest acquisitions only had spring on their minds. Third baseman Pablo Sandoval ...
Blog | January 24, 2015 -
Top breakout candidates for 2015
David SchoenfieldDuring my chats this offseason, one question that always comes up: Who do you like as a breakout performer? There are certainly obvious candidates to that question. The harder part is coming up with guys like Josh Donaldson or Josh Harrison or Dallas...
Blog | January 24, 2015 -
Jonathan Papelbon: Potential Hall of Famer
David SchoenfieldThe Brewers are in talks with the Phillies to acquire Jonathan Papelbon, which makes a lot of sense since the Phillies have no need for Papelbon. The Brewers' closer right now is Jonathan Broxton, and their bullpen could use some depth. Anyway, th...
Blog | January 23, 2015 -
Does Craig have a home in Boston?
AJ MassIt would not be surprising to see Allen Craig in the starting lineup for the Boston Red Sox on a rather routine basis in 2015, but exactly where he might end up defensively on any given day is a little bit harder to predict. According to Peter Abr...
Blog | January 23, 2015 -
Video results for "boston red sox"
Mint Condition: Hall Of Fame Memorabilia Market
January 08, 2015 -
A Huge Relief For Pedro Martinez
January 06, 2015 -
Four Elected Into Hall Of Fame
January 06, 2015 -
Attempts To Trade Howard Proving To Be Challenging
January 06, 2015
Holt packing infield and outfield gloves
Gordon EdesBOSTON -- Red Sox utilityman Brock Holt, who missed the last month of the season after experiencing concussion symptoms, said Thursday that he plans to have a last followup consultation before the start of spring training with Dr. Micky Collins, the ...
Blog | January 22, 2015 -
Betts done worrying about trade rumors
Gordon EdesBOSTON -- Mookie Betts didn't have to track the trade rumors in which he was mentioned this winter. He had plenty of friends and family members keeping him regularly informed. "Pretty much all the time," he said Thursday before the Boston baseball...
Blog | January 22, 2015 -
Farrell: Craig could see time at third base
Gordon EdesBOSTON -- The Red Sox have spoken with Allen Craig about playing some third base in spring training, and the first baseman-outfielder was receptive to the idea, manager John Farrell said. Switch-hitting free agent Pablo Sandoval was signed to a fi...
Blog | January 22, 2015


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Pinnacle [S]
a little wing, ( Matthew 4:5 ; Luke 4:9 ). On the southern side of the temple court was a range of porches or cloisters forming three arcades. At the south-eastern corner the roof of this cloister was some 300 feet above the Kidron valley. The pinnacle, some parapet or wing-like projection, was above this roof, and hence at a great height, probably 350 feet or more above the valley.
Anything that runs out to a point.Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a PINNACLE of the temple, and saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. ( Matthew 4:5 )
Pinnacle [E]
(of the temple ), ( Matthew 4:5 ; Luke 4:9 ) The Greek word ought to be rendered not a pinnacle, but the pinnacle. The only part of the temple which answered to the modern sense of pinnacle was the golden spikes erected on the roof to prevent birds from settling there. Perhaps the word means the battlement ordered by law to be added to every roof. (According to Alford it was the roof of Herods royal portico of the temple,"which overhung the ravine of Kedron from a dizzy height" --600 or 700 feet.-ED.) [E] indicates this entry was also found in Easton's Bible Dictionary
pin'-a-k'-l (pterugion (Matthew 4:5; Luke 4:9, the Revised Version margin "wing")) "The pinnacle of the temple" is named as the place to which the devil took Jesus, and there tempted Him to cast Himself down. It is not known what precise elevated spot is meant, whether a part of the roof of the temple itself, or some high point in the adjacent buildings overlooking the deep ravine. It was more probably the latter.
Copyright Statement These files are public domain. Bibliography Information |

subset: commoncrawl


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Pet Smart Ramp®
Item # WX2-137928
- Google+
This item is shipped directly from the factory. To see the expected shipping date, please add to your Shopping Cart. Sorry, no express shipping available. We are unable to ship factory direct items to Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico or APO or FPO addresses.
This item cannot ship to Canada.
This item cannot ship internationally.
- Details & Specs
Smart Ramp®, Telescoping Pet Ramp. Vet - recommended "leg up" for your pet, indoors or out! SAVE BIG BUCKS!
Whether it's a run up into the truck bed or just easy-up onto the sofa for an older pet, this Smart Ramp® for pets offers safety and convenience, rock-solid. And a rock-solid value!
Here's the ideal step up:- Strong, light fiberglass rail construction, same as in commercial ladders
- It's 17" wide, telescopes from 42"-70"
- Rigid Rail¿ design makes it stable, with high-profile, contrast color rails to keep your pet on-track
- Shur-Foot¿ tread surface for confident footing, wet or dry
- Supports up to 300 lbs.
- Extends or collapses easily, no pinched fingers
- Comfortable built-in carry handle for moving, whether collapsed or extended. Weighs 15 lbs., 13 ozs.
A smart find for convenience and comfort for your pet and you! Get this deal ONLINE now!
- Reviews
Pet Smart Ramp is rated out of 5 by 4.Rated 4 out of 5 by gary from exactly as advertised. easy to use and very light. teaching my young boxer to use was easy. better than jumping out and in my suv.Date published: 2014-12-11Rated 5 out of 5 by MARTIN from This Ramp is sturdy, lightweight, and very easy to use. As my best friend gets older his hip problems are becoming more evident. This ramp will ease the pain. Worth every penny!Date published: 2014-03-14Rated 5 out of 5 by GEORGE W from This is a very good product. Sturdy, well designed and appears to be made with quality materials. Shipping was faster than I expected. Glad I selected this one rather than one of the cheaper ramps. Excellent product at a good price.Date published: 2010-05-26Rated 5 out of 5 by DONALD from Love the Ramp! My dog seems to really appreciate it too! Well made and easy to use.Date published: 2010-05-07
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Salvia Basic Facts: A very large and varied genus of plants that includes the culinary herb sage as well as exotic tender plants from the new world. They grow in a wide range of conditions, soils and situations: there is a Salvia for everyone! Care instructions are covered under each variety. Garden Use: Most Salvia flower in flushes. The tender, New World types can flower throughout the winter in a warm conservatory or heated greenhouse. Winter conditions can also influence how early flowering starts. For example, after a mild winter S.elegans can start flowering in late May, but after a cold winter when it dies back to its underground root stock, flowering might not start until late July. See pictures of Salvias in bloom in our Garden Notebook entry for October 2008. Wildlife Interest: Great bee plants. Cut Flower Use: Reasonably long lasting Cultivation: See each type as growing conditions vary. Salvias vary in hardiness and winter care is covered for each variety, but please bear in mind that it is not only cold but wetness that can kill a plant over winter. Many Salvias are very cold hardy but this is because they are covered with a blanket of snow in winter that keeps the roots dry. Others withstand cold winters in mountains which again present very different conditions to the garden. In our details we state how hardy the plants have proved to be in our garden. Some Salvia prefer warm but slightly shaded spots, but as a general rule in the UK you can't go wrong by putting a Salvia in the sunniest position possible. New World species and cultivars are best if given a warm sheltered spot for winter. These types also tend to break easily in strong winds, so a leeward of a wall, fence or taller plant is beneficial Propagation: Most can be propagated from cuttings, seed (for species) or by careful division. Read about taking cuttings of Salvias in our Garden Notebook entries for October 2009 and November 2009. Pests and Diseases: The only pests that trouble them in our garden are capsid bugs which make blackened holds in the topmost leaves leading to distorted growth. Not a major problem and damage growth can be pinched out. I don't know of any organic preventive measure; we use a systemic insecticide if really bad damage is occurring. History: A member of the Lamiaceae family (Dead Nettles). Perfect Partners: Salvias Schneehügel (white, lower left) and East Friesland (blue, centre) contribute to this June planting in our garden The bright pink Dianthus Devon Wizard and scarlet Lychnis chalcedonica also contribute the fresh-coloured scene. |
Salvia argenteaLarge sliver grey leaves and lilac flushed, white flowers held in whorls around 2ft 6In / 75cm tall stems. Will self seed, but will be short lived (i.e. usually dies!) if allowed to set seed freely. Pretty hardy, although the leaves are killed by frost. Its best to cut them away when the weather warms up to avoid rotting of the rootstock. In hard winters about 75% of ours come okay in well-drained soil. The plants need sharp drainage and a sunny spot. Watch out for slugs under the large leaves - if you find any, you know what must be done! The plants are native to southern Europe from Portugal through to Bulgaria. RHS Award of Garden Merit (H3). Price £4.50 (9cm pot) |
Salvia flava megalanthaAttractive crinkly, ground hugging leaves and spikes of purple-lipped yellow flowers. Lovely! A hardy clumper. Also (incorrectly) called Salvia bulleyana and trade named as "Blue Lips" - which doesn't do it for us! Price £4.50 (9cm pot) |
Salvia greggii Icing SugarHardy New World Salvia growing into a neat woody-based bush aobut 2ft tall. Two-tone pink flowers from June right into the autumn - mid-November here. Price £4.50 (9cm pot) |
Salvia guaranitica Lovely plants with rough, slightly aromatic leaves and spires of usually blue or purple, hook-lipped flowers from mid summer onwards right into October and beyond in mild areas. They grow from tubers and can be treated a bit like Dahlias - I leave mine in the ground over winter in my free-draining soil but you can dig them in early winter, pot up (don't store dry) and keep frost free and very slightly moist. About 2ft 6in to possibly 3-4ft tall (depending on variety) in flower. They seem to like sun or very lightly shaded spot and moisture in summer. Propagate by careful division of tubers, cuttings or (if patient) seed. Salvia guaranitica Blue Enigma is used to great effect in late summer herbaceous borders. |
Salvia guaranitica Black and BlueDark blue flowers and black calyces make a bold and dramatic impact in the border. About 3-4ft tall in flower. July-October. Price £5.00 (9cm pot) Available to order for spring delivery |
Salvia guaranitica Blue EnigmaRoyal blue flowers with green calyx. About 2ft 6in to possibly 3ft tall in flower. July-October. Price £5.00 (9cm pot) |
Salvia macrophylla Pink BlushOne of our favourite "woody" Salvias with brilliant pink flowers from early June right through to early winter. As with all macrophylla types the leaves are aromatic. It will grow well in part shade through to full sun and prefers moist to dry conditions but not boggy in winter. Completely hardy for us in well-drained soil, even in cold exposed positions. It will grow into a good sized bush if left unpruned but it is best to cut back (even almost to the ground) in late winter to encourage fresh, green growth that will produce more flower and grow to not more than 2ft tall in a season in our garden. The plants will, once established, sucker producing fresh stems from under the ground. These are easy to detach to produce more plants. RHS Award of Garden Merit Price £4.50 (9cm pot) Perfect partners: Pink Blush tones so well with Nepeta Amelia in our garden in June. Both thrive in dry soil in full sun and both are magnets for bees. |
In close-up the brilliant colour of Pink Blush shines out. |
Salvia microphylla Microphyllas have smaller leaves than the similar macrophyllas and tare commonly called Blackcurrant Sage because of the scent of the leaves. The plants are about 2ft tall and flower from early summer until the first frosts of autumn. They are hardy with us in Cheshire. |
Salvia microphylla Trelawny Rose PinkPrice £4.50 (9cm pot) |
Salvia microphylla Trelissick Creamy YellowPrice £4.50 (9cm pot) |
Salvia microphylla Trennance Lilac PinkPrice £4.50 (9cm pot) |
Salvia nemorosa From central Europe and western Asia where it grows in wooded areas (hence nemorosa). They are very hardy and long-lived. The main flowering starts in late spring / early summer. When the first flowers fade cut back to just above where the side buds are forming and continue with this until all the side shoots are spent. Then cut the plants back hard and then more flowers will grow to come out in late summer / autumn. Although they come from wooded areas they do like some sun and in the cool, less sunny UK climate they may sulk in a shady spot. Propagation is by division, normally in spring. Named varieties will produce very variable seedlings and for example, seedlings of Caradonna almost always lack the dark stems that make their parent so attractive. There is some confusion over whether some varieties are truly from Salvia nemorosa, or are hybrids: x.superba or x.sylvestris. I am using the names in the RHS Plant Finder 2011-12 edition. Salvia nemorosa Amethyst makes a lovely cottage garden plant but the straight stems can also add a more formal, architectural feel to a planting. |
Salvia nemorosa AmethystTaller than other nemorosa varieties - 2ft 9in. Pale violet flowers make it rather unique amongst this type of Salvia. RHS Award of Garden Merit. Price £4.50 (9cm pot) |
Perfect Partners: Amethyst is in complete harmony with the near-white pink of Valeriana sambucifolia from mid June through July. |
Salvia nemorosa CaradonnaViolet blue flowers set off admirably but the striking black stems. 1ft 6in / 45cm. Fully hardy. Price £4.50 (9cm pot) Read more about this plant's attractiveness to bees in our garden notebook for May 2011. |
Salvia nemorosa East Friesland (Ostfriesland)Purple flowers with burgundy bracts. 1ft 6in tall RHS award of garden merit. Price £4.50 (9cm pot) |
Salvia nemorosa Rose QueenPink flowers with darker bracts. 2ft tall Price £4.50 (9cm pot) Available to order for spring delivery |
Salvia patens Cambridge BlueValuable for their flower power late in the season but also in flower from high summer onwards. These plants grow from tubers and have about the same level of hardiness as Dahlias. If your soil is cold and wet pot them up in early winter and keep them in a cold greenhouse or porch through the cold months. In our free-draining soil I'm happy to leave them in situ over the winter. Cambridge Blue has sky blue flowers. About 1ft 6in - 2ft tall in flower with a planting distance of about 1ft 6in. Sun or light shade. Price £4.50 (9cm pot) |
Salvia sclareaClary Sage has been grown for time immemorial as a source of volatile soils for healing and perfume. It is a short lived perennial or biennial (see varieties below for details) that is best propagated by seed as division is difficult. The flowers are attractive and are boosted in impact by the large petioles that surround them. Easily grown in well-drained soil in sun or even partial shade. |
Salvia sclarea var. turkestanica(Common name: Turkistan Clary Sage) This is a truly architectural plant with branched stems and masses of pale blue flowers backed by large pinkish white bracts. Biennial - dies after flowering but does self seed. Incidentally the flower bracts are strongly aromatic when rubbed and create a difference of opinion, some liking the smell others are repelled. We're told by their keeper at London Zoo that they smell exactly like a male silver back gorilla. Price £4.00 (9cm pot) |
Salvia sclarea Vatican White(Common name: White Clary Sage) Unusual pure white counterpart of the common Clary Sage. Not so aromatic as some of the others but normally perennial. Price £4.00 (9cm pot) |
Salvia x.sylvestris Hybrids whose parentage includes Salvia nemorosa (see above) that can be treated in the exactly the same way. The epithet sylvestris also means growing in the woods. Completely hardy and trouble free. |
Salvia x.sylvestris Blauhügel("Blue Hill") Pale blue flowers with pale violet calyxes in short spikes 1ft 6in - 2ft tall from June through to frosts in flushes. RHS Award of Garden Merit Price £4.50 (9cm pot) |
Salvia x. sylvestris Mainacht(May Night) Indigo blue flowers from mid May onwards. 2ft tall. Price £4.50 (9cm pot) See a lovely planting combination between Salvia Mainacht and Geum Lady Stratheden in our garden notebok for June 2012. |
Perfect Partners: Salvia Mainacht contrasts splendidly with the bright orange of Geum Dolly North in May |
Salvia x. sylvestris Schneehügel(Snow Hill) Pure white flowers 1ft 6in tall. Flowers all summer in flushes. Price £4.50 (9cm pot) |
Salvia verticillata Purple RainWonderfully tactile bottle-brush flowers with whorls of purple-backed blue-purple flowers. About 2ft - 2ft 6in. Main flowering period is June - August and then again at the end of September if cut back when first flush fade. A favourite with bees in our garden. Price £4.50 (9cm pot) Perfect Partners: Purple Rain is the perfect foil for pale pink flowers like Phlox Discovery. |
Salvia Wendy's WishA new hybrid Salvia that came up in the Australian garden of Wendy Smith. The pink flowers paired with the white-pink calyces really turn your head. We saw it growing at Abbeywood Garden in Cheshire and just had to try it. It seems to be hardy in a sheltered spot and free draining soil. Will get to about 2-3ft tall but can be pinched out in spring to keep her more compact. Flowers all through the summer. Price £4.50 (9cm pot) |


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Does Money Spent By Voucher Groups Equal Votes?
Posted: 05/23/2011 - Democrats, who started out nearly united in their opposition to vouchers, found themselves in a remarkable policy shift when it came time to vote.
Posted: 05/23/2011 - Democrats, who started out nearly united in their opposition to vouchers, found themselves in a remarkable policy shift when it came time to vote.
Updated: 05/23/2011 - Officials report first significant injuries from Orlando's theme park.
Posted: 05/23/2011 - Elections dominated the news last week as Democrats scored big in a typically red region of the state while combatants in South Florida ready for another mayoral race that may be affected by an election reform bill signed into law that among other things limits access to the polls.
Updated: 05/23/2011 - Authorities say a boat sank in the waters off Florida, leaving three people who had been on board clinging to a water cooler until the Coast Guard came to their rescue.
Updated: 05/23/2011 - Florida Highway Patrol says that there has been a single vehicle accident on I-10 Westbound.
Posted: 05/21/2011 - Deputies say a woman visiting Walt Disney World was found unconscious at the end of a ride and transported to a nearby hospital.
Posted: 05/21/2011 - Workers building maritime park find old shipwreck.
Posted: 05/21/2011 - One of Epiphany Lutheran's veteran teachers celebrates retirement after decades of educating of our youth.
Posted: 05/21/2011 - The community comes together to give students at Gretchen Everhart School of Excellence a 'glitz and glam,' bike night to remember.
Updated: 05/20/2011 - A reenactment in the state Capitol comes one day after Governor Rick Scott signed massive changes to election law that could make voting more difficult.
Posted: 05/20/2011 - Rick Scott's budget review comes as Florida's economy continues to show signs of rebirth as home sales and the state's unemployment picture both showed improvement in what is expected to be a long slog back to 'the golden years."
Posted: 05/20/2011 - Wakulla County Sheriff David Harvey honored three members of the WCSO staff as well as a Crawfordville family for their support of law enforcement in 2010. The recognition was part of the 19th Annual Law Day activities at Harvey-Young Farm.
Posted: 05/20/2011 - Tallahassee Community College is preparing its second round application for the Aspen Institute Prize.
Posted: 05/20/2011 - The concert was scheduled for SATURDAY, MAY 21, 2011 at the Tallahassee-Leon County Civic Center.
Posted: 05/20/2011 - Thousands of people are together tonight with a common goal in mind - find a cure for cancer. They discover there's strength in numbers, especially when it comes to fighting this deadly disease.
Posted: 05/20/2011 - Florida's unemployment rate has dropped again. Labor statistics released today put the jobless rate at 10.8 percent. .
Posted: 05/20/2011 - Fla. student accused of drugging teacher's drink
Updated: 05/20/2011 - Team trying to get 12 year old life-saving heart surgery
Updated: 05/23/2011 - Grow one, save a million" campaign a fun way to save water
Updated: 05/20/2011 - Hilton files appeal with Florida Supreme Court
Updated: 05/21/2011 - People gathered at Florida State Friday to discuss ways to fight childhood obesity. Commissioner of Agriculture, Adam Putnam, thinks he may have a solution.
Posted: 05/20/2011 - Almost 800,000 children are reported missing ever year which is why 'the good guys' are getting together to finger print kids for free.
Posted: 05/20/2011 - A subsidiary of CVS Caremark on dropped its protest of the state's decision to award a major pharmacy-benefits management contract to rival Medco Health Solutions.
Posted: 05/20/2011 - A thief asks for a job while robbing a warehouse!
Posted: 06/30/2011 - A medical examiner says something went wrong with professional wrestler "Macho Man" Randy Savage's heart before he crashed his car and declared the cause of death as heart disease.


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June – Grooming Instruction Program Student Of The Month – 2014
ABC Grooming Instruction Program Student of the Month
June 2014
Rina Causey
Born in Okinawa, Japan, Rina Causey moved to Yakima, Wash., a little more than a year ago when her husband, who is serving in the military, was transferred back to the U.S. She is completing her externship at Debbie's Pet Grooming in Zillah, Wash. The salon's owner, Debbie, frequently sends ABC praise and pictures of Rina's latest groom success. She is very impressed with Rina's progress and potential as a professional pet groomer.
Was pet grooming your first career choice? If not, what was it?
In Japan, I worked as a hair removal technician and I am also a certified massage therapist.
What animal or person most inspired you to pursue a career in the animal industry?
My husband and my miniature poodle, Marty, inspired me to pursue a career in the pet grooming industry. After I moved to Yakima, I couldn't decide which grooming salon to take Marty to—and he needed to be trimmed badly. I researched online how to trim a dog's hair and I decided to give it a try myself. The end result was not pretty and not what I wanted my dog to look like. I wanted to improve my skills. Around that time, my husband told me about Animal Behavior College's grooming school commercial he saw on TV. So I went to its website and received information about the program. I really liked the hands-on training portion of the program and the ability to have online study, since I had just had a baby.
What knowledge and experiences have you gained from becoming an ABC certified pet groomer?
I have learned a lot of things through both my written stages and externship. I learned about dog's and cat's anatomy. I liked this part because you learn how the body moves and functions, so when you move the dogs or cats during grooming, it doesn't hurt them and is more comfortable. I enjoyed the stage about getting familiar with your grooming tools and how to maintain them. It helped me feel more prepared for my externship. I also enjoyed Stage 9 about Business Building. There was a lot of helpful and applicable information in that section.
What was the biggest challenge you have faced during externship and how did you overcome?
I am really enjoying my externship and learning from my mentor Debbie. I am only about halfway through my hours so far. I am working very hard to learn to groom smoothly and efficiently. As a groomer, you want to make sure you can do a certain number of dogs in a certain time, otherwise you will not make a good living. I am working on picking up my speed without compromising the quality of my work. I pay close attention to my mentor and how she moves around the dogs when grooming and how long she takes at each task. I've been paying close attention to the clock, as well, so I know how long I should take for each task.
What are your plans for the future?
I want to gain more experience at Debbie's Pet Grooming. I hope to master scissoring techniques in the next 12 months. I think mastering your scissoring techniques is critical for producing breed standard trims. I hope to open my own grooming salon in the next 10 years. I can really see myself in the future being happy with my career choices and enjoying owning my own shop.
June Grooming Instruction Program Canadian Student Of The Month – 2014
ABC Grooming Instruction Program Canadian Student of the Month– June 2014
Jade Gibbons
Jade Gibbons is one of Animal Behavior College's star students. She lives in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada and is employed and completing her externship at A Dirty Dog Spa, which is also in Edmonton. Before enrolling with Animal Behavior College, Jade was already involved in the pet grooming industry. She has worked at four different shops and shadowed various groomers as a bather and grooming assistant. Jade took ABC's pet grooming program in order to strengthen her background and skills, as well as boost her knowledge, ability and creativity as a groomer.
What prompted you to become a pet groomer? Was there a specific event, circumstance or person who inspired you to pursue this career?
I have always loved animals and knew I wanted to pursue something in that field. My very first job when I was 14 years old was at a boarding kennel with a groom shop; I worked as a bather. It was challenging work, but I loved it. From that point on, I knew I wanted to work with animals. At first I wanted to become a veterinary technician, but then found out that groomers make a better living. It sounded like more fun, too, since sometimes you can be creative with your grooms.
What has been your most rewarding moment during your externship?
My most rewarding moments are the client's reactions to how wonderful their babies look when they come to pick them up from a day at the spa. The dogs' tails are wagging and they are yipping and jumping and everyone is smiling. It feels really good to see how happy pet owners are with how their dog looks. It feels awesome to see how much they like the style and appreciate my hard work.
Have you started working professionally as a groomer yet?
Yes, I am working professionally in a grooming salon. I work full-time at A Dirty Dog Spa, the same place where I did my externship. I work as a bather two days a week and the other three days I get to work as a groomer, which is my favorite. My mentor, Margaret, is a national certifier for Edmonton, so we get to do a lot of fun show cuts and, of course, pet cuts as well. I even had the opportunity to help my mentor get her dogs ready for show. I am having a lot of fun.
What are your future career plans?
My plan is to work at a groom shop for at least 3 years straight to gain more experience. I eventually would like build my clientele and experience, and then open my own shop out of my house. Before doing any of that though, I need to get more comfortable with handling my scissors and mastering how to complete faces and double-coated short bath and tidies.
If you could work style a dog or cat after any celebrity, who would it be and why?
I think it would be really fun to style a Standard Poodle after Elvis Presley. He is a legend and had such classic, yet dramatic style. I have seen it done before and it looks so creative and fun. It would be fun to try to create the personality and style in a dog.
June 2014 – ABC Dog Training Program Student of the Month – USA
ABC Dog Training Program Student of the Month – USA – June 2014
Manny Guerra, ABCDT
Manny Guerra, a recent graduate of ABC's Dog Obedience Program, resides in Palm Springs, Calif., and works at the Palm Springs Animal Shelter. He was inspired to become a certified dog trainer because of his job at the shelter. While there, Manny gained the basic knowledge of socializing and handling but craved more, and that's why he started at ABC. He has already started training professionally part-time conducting private lessons and assisting with another company's basic obedience classes. Manny's ultimate goal is offer classes through his own business. He approaches training with positive energy and intentions, and said that doing so will result in great responses and lead to his success.
What was/is the biggest challenge you faced during your externship and how did you overcome it?
My biggest challenge was remembering that I shouldn't be too hard on myself. I am a perfectionist and am always trying to reach new heights. We are all human and we all make mistakes. It is what we choose to do after that makes the biggest difference. I was able to overcome this feeling by being consistent and persistent in achieving my goals.
Was dog training your first career choice? If not, what was it?
Dog training was not originally my first career choice but rather an addition to my overall vision. All the other professions I take part in help to reinforce my success as a dog trainer. I am so happy I found dog training because I could not be more passionate about helping dogs. I suppose I am attracted to it because I am already a teacher. Dog training has since helped me with my own dogs as well. My goal is to set up a perfect world for myself where I spend my time inspiring children and dogs to be the best that they can be.
How did you hear about the ABC program and what convinced you to become certified?
I learned about the ABC program through another trainer who was doing work at the Palm Springs Animal Shelter. She suggested I start there because it would give me an excellent foundation to build from. Since I was already searching for something to further my knowledge, it did not take any convincing at all and I jumped at the opportunity to sign up.
What are your plans for dog training? Do you want specialize in particular type of training (e.g., aggression, PTSD, therapy or guide dogs) or in training a particular breed of dog?
My plans are to spend as much time as possible surrounding myself with dogs and training them. I will build a successful business while I'm at it. I would love to work with all types of dogs but I do have a soft spot for scared and nervous dogs, so there will be some focus in that area.
What has been your most rewarding moment during your externship?
The most rewarding moment during my externship was definitely having the opportunity to meet wonderful trainers who have inspired me to do great things. I am blessed to have had the chance to work so closely with these professionals. I was given amazing feedback that fueled my drive even further.
June 2014 Dog Obedience Program Canadian Student Of The Month
Dog Obedience Instruction Program
Canadian Student of the Month
June 2014
Laura Rosati
Soon to be Animal Behavior Graduate Laura Rosati lives in St. Catherine's, Ontario, Canada. She decided to become a Certified Dog Trainer for the additional experience and knowledge it will provide for her dog training career. Laura discovered ABC through a Google search. For the past year, she has been training part time at a Petsmart in St. Catherine's and will become a full time trainer at a Niagara Falls Petsmart location in June. Laura is ecstatic that she will be the Head Trainer and also to have the opportunity to help pet parents, their dogs, puppies and rescues.
What prompted you to become a dog trainer? Was there a specific event, circumstance or person who inspired you to pursue this career?
After graduating Brock University, I decided to take a year off of school and give back to the community. Part of that was volunteering at my local humane society. While there, I fell in love with one of the dogs who had been there for almost a year. I wanted to help her really, really badly. Her name was Maya and it felt like almost everybody had given up hope on her. She was a hyper, rambunctious crazy girl. It seemed as though she was hard-pressed to find anybody who she could genuinely connect with on a positive level. However, it seemed like I had made an impression on her, so I made the decision to go to all of those with authority at the Humane Society to get approval to work with Maya. I had no previous training other than experience with other humane society dogs. They let me work with Maya, so I was allowed to take her off compound and try to socialize her to regular everyday life occurrences. Maya and I connected on a very social and positive level. I firmly believe that our month together played a big role in her rehabilitation, so much so that someone came into the humane society, fell in love with her, adopted her, and now she has her forever home. Maya was my push to make rehabilitation and dog obedience my career goal.
What was/is the biggest challenge you faced during your externship and how did you overcome it?
I have no major complaints about my externship in terms of difficulties to overcome.
My trainer, Jessica Adams, was an excellent source of information and helped me through everything along the way. My externship felt like smooth sailing. The material was fun to learn and teaching was always a blast. My dog Kramer loved every moment of it as well.
What has been your most rewarding moment during your externship?
My top rewarding moment was when Kramer completed a series of commands without any preparation. Jessica Adams asked us to demonstrate before for the rest of the class a series of commands in the chain formation that we have never done. I had to ask Kramer to sit and wait on one end of an aisle, walk to the other end of the aisle, call him to me and without touching his leash, get him to go beside me and heel in multiple different directions. Still, without touching his leash, ask him to sit and go to his bed on the floor a little ways away from me. Kramer completed everything perfectly. This really was a testament, not only to how hard we have trained, but also to the bond Kramer and I have built since adopting him last summer from Guelph Humane Society.
What has your experience been like in the ABC Dog Obedience Program?
Nothing but positive; the course work has added to my knowledge while working with customers at Petsmart. I literally hear people saying, "Wow. You really know your stuff." Once I was called an encyclopedia. Plus, clients whose dogs I train feel more comfortable with me because I can provide them with sound information.
What are your plans for dog training? Do you want specialize in particular type of training (e.g., aggression, PTSD, therapy or guide dogs) or in training a particular breed of dog?
My long-term goal is to be a very versatile pet trainer, with knowledge in all regards. However, if there is one thing my rescue dog Kramer, and all other dogs I have built strong bonds with have taught me, it's that I have a natural gift with hyperactive, eager, looking-to-please-and-learn types of dogs. Those dogs you look at and think "Wow, they have so much energy I could never handle that," those are the dogs I gravitate most toward. My experience is that these types of dogs can go one of two directions: they either become a dog who falls into the hands of someone who can teach them all the right commands and behaviors; or one who falls into incapable hands, learns incorrect behaviors and winds up in a humane society to be euthanized.
I see so much potential in these dogs that I want to give them the opportunity to become the best they can be in the right hands. And this is why, along with basic, intermediate obedience and obedience, I want to offer courses that provide outlets for these dogs, such as agility and trick training that can be used in everyday life. My main focus will always be to strengthen the communication between dog and pet parent so both parties can have their needs understood and met.
April – Veterinary Assistant Program Student Of The Month – 2014
ABC Veterinary Assistant Program
Student of the Month
April 2014
Jennifer Bergey
A born and bred Pennsylvanian, Jennifer Bergey grew up in Radnor and currently lives in Pottstown—seven years and counting. She is the proud mother of two adorable dogs: a Boxer named Birch and a Cockapoo named Noel. She also has a cat named Bell and a tortoise named Jim. Continue reading
April Grooming Instruction Program Canadian Student Of The Month – 2014
ABC Grooming Instruction Program Canadian Student of the Month– April 2014
Yalitza Torres
Yalitza Torres currently lives in St-Lazare, Quebec, Canada. She works full time as an export agent at a logistics company. Although she has a full-time job, Yalitza knew she always wanted to work with animals. Her love and dedication to helping animals is what helped her decide to join the Animal Behavior College grooming program. Yalitza started out with little experience, but with hard work and dedication she is now working part time with her mentor. Continue reading
April 2014 – ABC Dog Training Program Student of the Month – USA
ABC Dog Training Program Student of the Month – USA – April 2014
Dean Griffin
Dean Griffin has had many different jobs in his lifetime. He started out doing telecommunications right out of high school, then worked as a limousine chauffer for 17 years, where his clients included Madonna, Metallica, Billy Squire, Bette Midler, Donald Trump and Barbara Streisand, just to name a few. From there, Dean went on to pursue his childhood dream of becoming a truck driver; a career with long hours and lots of hard work, but one he loved nonetheless. Unfortunately, after being seriously injured on the job, Dean had to give up his truck driving career and is now self-employed as a remote-control technician, repairing and building remote control cars, trucks, boats and planes. Dog training had never really crossed Dean's mind until he met his wife, who owned two pit bulls and fostered dogs for numerous rescues. Dean was inspired to pursue dog training as a career by his "stubborn, bratty and unruly" pit bull. He wanted to prove to himself—and everyone else—what hard work, dedication and positive-training methods could do. Dean is now in the final stage of the Dog Obedience Instructor Program, and has already been asked by his externship Mentor Trainer to stay on board with the San Francisco SPCA's Pit Crew. Continue reading
April – Grooming Instruction Program Student Of The Month – 2014
ABC Grooming Instruction Program Student of the Month
April 2014
William Finan
William Finan lives in Jersey City, N.J. He already has a degree in the A/V field but decided to add to his carrier options and complete the grooming program. William is now able to work in two fields and love them both. He is still working on his grooming skills and getting in as much practice as he can. Continue reading
April 2014 Dog Obedience Program Canadian Student Of The Month
Dog Obedience Instruction Program
Canadian Student of the Month
April 2014
Janelle Lohner
Like many people after graduating high school, Janelle had a hard time deciding what she wanted to do with her life. She changed her mind many times and considered many different career options: social worker, wedding planner, real estate agent and mechanic. Nothing truly called out to her until she adopted her dog Marcus. She decided then that she wanted to be a dog trainer—and she hasn't looked back since. Janelle is currently working a retail job while she saves money to start her own business. She plans to open her own rescue and dog training facility, which will also include: grooming, agility courses, boarding kennels and a dog park. Continue reading
March Grooming Instruction Program Canadian Student Of The Month – 2014
ABC Grooming Instruction Program Canadian Student of the Month– March 2014
Sharon Joanisse
Sharon Joanisse lives in Cornwall, Ontario, Canada, where she works as a registered massage therapist, school bus driver, pet/house sitter, dog trainer and also does some grooming part time. She found Animal Behavior College while searching for an Obedience Training program. She completed ABC's Certified Dog Training program before enrolling in its Grooming Instruction Program. One of Sharon's favorite parts of the program is that the first portion is distance learning. She loves being able to work at her own pace.
What prompted you to become a pet groomer? Was there a specific event, circumstance or person who inspired you to pursue this career?
Falling into grooming was much the same as falling into training. I have three dogs at the moment and around the time I got my second Aussie, I realized there was a lot I did not know. I set off to learn as much as I could about training specifics that related to us, and also about grooming. Two years ago, I got my third Aussie and once again found out just how much I didn't know. With him came my introduction to the conformation ring, and a whole new world of grooming and care. At my first show, I looked around and saw that most of the people around me were groomers and they were my inspiration.
Describe a humorous moment you witnessed or took part in while working at your externship location.
Dogs are always surprising us, whether it's their silly behavior on the table or their happy howling when they see their family and get excited. A few weeks ago, we took in our Aussie to be groomed. He wiggled and yodeled and was just an adorable "goofball."
What one thing stands out for you in terms of knowledge and/or skills acquired from the program?
Working within a dog's limits, and working with my client's desires is something that stands out for me in terms of knowledge and/or skills acquired from the program. Often, clients come in and have an idea of what they want but that idea is not always workable. I have found that this program has taught me how to [have a]dialogue with these clients and find a happy medium for them.
Have you started working professionally as a groomer yet? If yes, where? And are you working full- or part-time?
A year ago, I opened a second business, Heeling NRG (Sanctuary Massage Therapy) and made allowances for grooming to be a part of it. In January of this year, I began offering grooming to my clients, and am now seeing two to four clients per week.
What grooming skill(s) or technique(s) do you want to master during the next 12 months?
I hope to master scissor cuts, and breed-specific grooming for the show ring. My mentor trainer at my externship was a poodle breeder for more than 40 years and she has had me grooming her poodles and grills me hard on them. I love it!


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Common English Bible (CEB) | New International Version (NIV) |
9 "Who are you?" he asked. She replied, "I'm Ruth your servant. Spread out your robe over your servant, because you are a redeemer." | 9 "Who are you?" he asked. "I am your servant Ruth," she said. "Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a kinsman-redeemer." |
Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible (Common English Bible) | Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. (New International Version Bible Online) |


text:
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It's been four days since I got back from covering the 2011 Amgen Tour of California for Bicycling.com, and while I'm still a little worn out from the daily marathon this is covering a major stage race, I have 10 days' worth of vivid memories of sometimes snowy, sometimes sunny California that will last a long time.
There was a lot of work involved in preparing for the race in the months leading up to it, but without delving into the boring details, let's just say I'm very happy that I don't earn my living as a travel agent. As it was my first time covering a major race, I had to overcome a learning curve when it came to things like choosing the best towns to book hotels in. It's not as straightforward as just following the race route, either, as there are things like Los Angeles traffic to consider and, you know, California's snow storms. Eventually, though, I got us set up with rental cars and hotel rooms for a week-plus tour of the Golden State.
I assembled a six-man team of editors for the race: Bicycling's own Joe Lindsey, contributor Whit Yost, veteran cycling journalist Jason Sumner, former editor David L'Heureux, and me, the rookie. In addition, I asked freelance cycling photographer Wil Matthews to shoot the race for us. We met up in the town of Stateline, Nevada, a few days before what was supposed to be the start of the 2011 Amgen Tour of California, on Sunday, May 15.
Covering the AToC meant, in part, interviewing a number of the riders, lurking around the team trucks to spy the latest bike tech, and trying to scoop news from around the race. It also meant setting up a makeshift studio in one of our hotel rooms so that we could interview a variety of riders: the beloved Jens Voigt, the future of U.S. cycling, Taylor Phinney, the quiet Tom Zirbel, and others.
Oh yeah, we also had a long sit-down with a certain Chris Horner.
The Horner Diaries
A veteran of U.S. and European pro cycling, RadioShack's Chris Horner agreed to work with us at the Cali tour, and there isn't another rider I'd have rather worked with. Chris is, in a word, cool—a genuinely laid-back and out-loud funny guy with a high racing IQ. He talks tactics and race dynamics as easily as one would talk about the weather. He's a pro in every sense of the word, and he was always on time and ready for our daily interviews. Chris never stressed and was always in a good mood with a smile and a handshake—and a joke—at the ready.
If you followed our race coverage, you've figured out by now that our plan for Chris included a long-form pre-race interview, in which we asked him to preview each stage of the race, as well as a daily video diary during the tour to talk about how everything was going.
We thought Chris would do a great race in Cali this year, and we knew he had been asked by RadioShack to leave Europe and had come back to the States to do a five-week training block specifically to prepare for this race. So when he took the leader's jersey on stage four, and later won the overall, of course we were thrilled for Chris, for what I think is his best victory to date. I say "to date" because he told us he's already thinking of a podium spot at the Tour de France. And confident he is, having told us that the only rider in the world who could drop him was one Alberto Contador.
That said, here's a wrap-up of my experience covering the AToC:
Stage 1: A False Start (South Lake Tahoe to North Lake Tahoe/Norhstar)
Looking back, Sunday's stage one seems like it took place months ago, but it was just less than two weeks ago that we were interviewing Chris under snow-covered trees. Sounds almost idyllic maybe, but as it was supposed to be sunny California I was expecting, it was a confusing day for most everyone—fans, riders, organizers, media, and mechanics. With a storm moving in, chatter started up in earnest about the possibility of a canceled stage one. But then the sun came out from under the cloud cover, then it got really cold, then came snow flurries, and then the sun was out again, and repeat. There was nothing for our crew to do but go with the flow, and sadly for everyone involved the stage ultimately (at the very last few seconds, actually) had to be canceled. It was the right decision to cancel, too, as the safety of the riders is paramount. No question about that. But it was a big disappointment for the all those who had put in so much effort over a long period to organize such a big event. We spoke with some riders and team managers for their take on things, and we ended up driving on the course all the way to the finish at Northstar. We gathered in the media room there and tried to make sense of an anticlimactic beginning of the tour.
For me, it was something of snow-white paradox that my very first encounter with California took place on roads covered with inches of snow. I managed to keep our rental car from sliding off the road as we made our way over the climbs, but had to stop a couple of times to remove the ice and snow that had accumulated on our wiper blades. It wasn't the image of California I'd had in mind.
Stage 2: A Shortened Stage, But It's a Start (North Lake Tahoe/Squaw Valley to Sacramento)
Funny waking up in a Squaw Valley ski lodge with a foot of snow outside my window and then a second later remembering I was there to cover the start of a bike race. Wisely, however, the race organizers had decided overnight to shorten the stage to 100K or so, and put the new start after Donner Pass to avoid the snow at altitude and from having to force the riders to descend 7K feet that day (and it was pretty much all descending). I don't think many of the riders would do well with speeding down the road all day in wet, freezing temps. Could certainly have had season-long implications, too, because if anyone got sick that day their seasons could have been drastically changed. What if Andy Schleck got the flu that day and had to be out two weeks and miss a big trip to France to recon some Tour stages?
Nonetheless, it was exciting and relieving when the riders finally got rolling off the start in Nevada City, which for the second year in a row found itself the last-minute host of an AToC stage. A while later, the peloton rushed onto the streets of downtown Sacramento for some criterium-style racing, led to the line by an untouchable Ben Swift of Team Sky.
So the race was on, and we set to actually covering the action. To the finish line we went, snagging riders for interviews, then later headed back to the hotel for some video editing and report writing and relishing in the busy chaos that is race reporting.
Stage 3: Now We're Really Moving (Auburn to Modesto)
This "sprinters' stage" lived up to its billing, and Team Sky made it two stage wins in a row with Greg Henderson leading the mad dash to the line. In the run-in into Modesto, Jens Voigt got caught up with a couple of riders and crashed hard, but thankfully he was able to finish. Whether you're a journalist covering the race or a fan at home watching on TV, your first reaction to a crash is, "Ouch!" and then "Hope they're all right." It's part of bike racing, but crashing isn't something one can ever really get used to. After filing reports and posting videos, we got to interview Paris-Roubaix winner Johan Van Summeren and Tour of Flanders winner Nick Nuyens back at the hotel.
Stage 4: It's All Horner (Livermore to San Jose)
Without question, this was going to be one of the few really decisive stages in the race. It was the first summit finish ever in the Tour of California, and we were not disappointed when the top GC riders came to the fore on the climb up Sierra Road in San Jose. It is a cliché to call a one-week stage race with climbs and a TT a mini Tour de France, but I have to say it felt just like that. With two big climbs on the day's menu, by the time the first riders rode past our media room (which was in a church at the foot of the last climb), we knew the race would already be ripped to shreds. And it was. Everyone was excited to see a Garmin rider, Ryder Hesjedal, on the attack, but not far behind we saw the red kits of RadioShack setting a hard tempo. Amazing work was being done by Matthew Busche, whose lightning rise from Cat. 2 rider to ProTour domestique I'd been following. When it came down to it, Horner took off solo for the stage win, and we had a feeling it was really going to be his race from then on. He'd put over a minute into his rivals. It was some really great payback for those five weeks of hard training.
Stage 5: The Longest Day (Seaside to Paso Robles)
Another sprinters' stage—and the longest of the tour—saw the Slovakian Speedster Peter Sagan finally get a win after some near-misses on earlier stages. Last year he won two stages, so it wasn't surprising to anyone to see him doing well again this time around and to be in the mix. The only curiosity was that HTC wasn't winning, but its time would come eventually. Unfortunately, this stage saw the abandonment of Jens Voigt, who had actually broken a bone in his hand on stage two. He's a fighter and will, we hope, be back in Cali next year. One of our bloggers, Ted King, added his take on the stage and how his teammate won.
Stage 6: It's Getting DZ in the TT (Solvang)
The big question on this stage was, would Levi make up the time he'd lost to teammate Horner on stage four, a minute-fifteen? Or, put another way, would Horner do the TT of his career to limit his losses to teammate and TT master Levi to keep his overall lead?
Sure enough and to no one's surprise, Levi did a faster TT, but it wasn't enough; he finished the stage still down overall by 38 seconds on Horner. It appeared now that Horner was the undisputed protected team leader—if there had been any question about that. The stage win was taken by Dave "DZ" Zabriskie, who never looked like he was trying hard; that was impressive.
Our time in Solvang was relatively relaxing coverage-wise, as the nature of the TT means we got to slow down a bit, gather our thoughts, talk to some fans watching the race, and enjoy the staggered starts of the long day.
Lucky for me, I got to ride shotgun in the Jamis–Sutter Home team car behind TT specialist and former U.S. national time trial champ Tom Zirbel, who we'd interviewed back in Stateline. Unlucky for Tom, his aero seat post was slipping down into the frame of his bike, and, after some hesitation that helped kill his rhythm, he had stop to have his seat-post clamp tightened. It was a big bummer for Tom as he'd told us he was really looking forward to a good TT ride.
Stage 7: Horner Confirms (Claremont to Mt. Baldy)
Certainly, this was the queen stage of the race. In a way, Horner had the race in the bag, but in another way it was still anyone's race. With some steep climbing on the menu, it was impossible for the riders to say for sure how their legs would feel. As it happened, though, Horner did confirm, again, that he was the strongest rider in the tour—and that he had the strongest team. His RadioShack teammates—especially Busche and Levi—let him ride first class to the finish, where Levi and Horner rolled one-two over the line, respectively, hands clasped together high up in the air. Tom Danielson managed a good ride, too, and sealed his third place overall. Interestingly, Horner made a bold prediction back in Stateline, and on this stage he backed it up.
For me, it was a trill to be out of the media room for a stage and standing atop Mt. Baldy to see the riders labor up the climb and over the line. As many said, it felt like a grand tour stage. Seeing the young, high-tempo-setting Busche drop Andy Schleck will be a memory I won't soon forget.
Stage 8: Done and Done (Santa Clarita to Thousand Oaks)
No one expected GC changes this day, and so the racing was all about, one, Chris finishing safely and, two, who would take the field sprint and final stage.
Chris Horner, the oldest rider in the race at 39, took the overall win in dominating fashion. HTC finally got a stage win with Matthew Goss besting the rest. Garmin won the best team award. Sagan kept his green jersey as best sprinter. Patrick McCarty of Spidertech held on to his KOM jersey. Tejay Van Garderen, who had aspirations to be a top contender in the race at the outset, must have taken some consolation in winning the white jersey as best young rider. He'll surely be back to try to win this race.
Me? I finished the tour pretty tired after all the driving, reporting, and chasing riders around. But I'd do it all again. Actually, I have heard there's a French race coming up soon.
The single most vivid memory I'll keep with me is seeing Chris on the podium's top step in Thousand Oaks. I've never seen anyone look so happy.
Till next year.


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I grew up in a cult. Yes, it was a cult. I call my childhood church a cult because because we operated like one.
Cults aren't about beliefs so much as they are about behavior. Plenty of churches share similar beliefs but you can distinguish the healthy ones from the unhealthy by looking at how they operate and how they treat people.
For example, there are far more incidents of cultish behavior coming from independent Baptists than from the mainline Baptist denomination (same basic beliefs, different behaviors).
As Janja Lalich says in her book Take Back Your Life, a group "earns the label 'cult' on the basis of its methods and behaviors–not on the basis of its beliefs."
I'm not particularly interested in dissecting various belief systems because I think what's far more harmful are the ways in which these groups practice. In my view, the beliefs are important only insofar as they are used to justify or perpetuate harmful practices.
One example of how belief directly perpetuates abuse is the fundamentalist Christian belief that human beings are inherently wicked. This belief directly impacts how children are disciplined; ie. with relentless spanking.
When you believe children are inherently wicked sinners who must be spanked until their "wills are broken," you have effectively dehumanized them and therefore, are justified in abusing them. What's worse is that it's done in God's name. THAT is an example of how beliefs directly perpetuate abuse.
However, for the most part, the important questions about "what is a cult?" get muddled by derailing questions like: "Are Catholics Christians?" or "Are Mormons Christians?" That conversation is a conversation about beliefs and, frankly, it usually becomes a doctrinal tug-of-war which fails to answer the question of harmful behavior.
I have Mormon friends and don't doubt for one minute that they have a true, authentic connection to God. That said, the culture of Mormonism, the way Mormonism is practiced and, particularly, the requirements placed upon individuals for maintaining good standing in the church, vis-a-vis, good standing with God, DOES raise huge, red flags for me.
[Sidebar: since Mormons prefer that we consider their church part of general Christianity, I think it's fair for me to include them in my discussion, here. But also in the name of fairness, if the Catholic Church were still carrying on with Inquisitions and burnings at the stake, well, I wouldn't have become Catholic. :)]
Here's the thing: it's really NOT enough to have orthodox beliefs. Everyone believes their beliefs are true otherwise they wouldn't believe them.
The difference is, not every group practices their beliefs as Absolute Law or goes around making sure it's enforced among group members.
Being a cultish church is not about whether your beliefs are TRUE. It's about HOW those beliefs are practiced.
So, orthodoxy is important, yes, but so is orthopraxy. They go hand in hand. Ideally, a church has both. But if given the choice between orthodox beliefs and healthy behavior, I will always go with healthy behavior.
In my experience, beliefs can be straightened out fairly easily. Harmful behavior–like bad habits–are much more difficult to rehabilitate.
In Take Back Your Life, the authors offer a list of characteristics to help people determine whether or not their group is a cult (Appendix A, pgs. 327 & 328). I'll offer an adapted version, here, tailored to Christian-specific churches and let you decide whether or not your church is a cult:
- excessively zealous and unquestioning commitment to its leader (for example, always deferring to the senior pastor's interpretation of Scripture; considering the pastor's personal preference as spiritual mandate)
- questioning, doubt, and dissent are discouraged or even punished ("sowing disunity" is code for silencing, being called into meetings to discuss disloyalty)
- leadership dictates, sometimes in great detail how members should think, act, and feel (ie. what to wear, where to live, dietary restrictions based on outdated or disproven science, requiring members to get permission for personal life choices, mandating how to discipline children)
- group is elitist, claiming special, exalted status for itself (creating us vs. them mentality; "the lost" vs. "us who have the FULLNESS of truth")
- leadership induces feelings of shame in order to influence and control members–often done through peer pressure or subtle forms of persuasion (assigned an "accountability partner" who reports on you; lots of 'checking-in'; enforcing unwritten rules, policing tone of voice, facial expressions)
- preoccupied with bringing in new members (turn every opportunity into an outreach! that person you sit next to on the airplane might die tomorrow–better preach the Gospel to her!)
- preoccupied with making money
- members expected to devote inordinate amounts of time to the group and group-related activities (meetings, meetings, meetings!)
- members are encouraged or required to live and/or socialize only with other group members (Scripture verses are used to warn against the corrupting influence of outside friends)
- the most loyal members ("true believers") feel there can be no life outside the context of the group (leaving the church is same as leaving God)
Updated: I'm closing comments because the point of this post is to address cultish BEHAVIOR which manifests itself in MANY churches. I am NOT interested in hosting a conversation about "who is Christian?" The best comment today was written by Rachel and in lieu of keeping comments open, I'm reposting her comment here:
I have believed that it is the actions not the theology that matters. When people are stuck in a pattern of abusive behavior, they will twist their beliefs to support the abusive interaction. No amount of right doctrine or theology will fix that. There is a desire to believe that right doctrine will supernaturally override abusive interaction. That has not been my experience nor have I seen that to be true in over a decade and a half of studying both cults and the people who become entangled in those high-demand groups.
Like you say, they come in every variety of theology. The key, I have seen is that people who desire control or to be controlled search out abusive interaction. They find a theology that inspires them. However, they will not truly feel comfortable with a specific church until they also find abusive interaction. As a result, the theology will not overcome the abusive behavior. The individual must be self aware regarding their own patterns.
This is important to understand. From a personal point of view it is important because no amount of theology will replace truly dealing with patterns that may stem from a dysfunctional or abusive past. While faith can help you heal, you must also understand the person God created in you and do the personal work.It is important when dealing with others who come from an abusive group. Arguing that the past groups theology was correct or incorrect will not be very healing. Don't justify or condemn the theology. Instead, meet the person. The healing must happen in the arena of interaction, not necessarily theology. That can come later.
Also, don't ever assume that the theology you adhere to could never be shared by a cult. Every theology can and probably is being shared by a cult somewhere. Somewhere there are people interacting in abusive ways and using the theology you hold dear to justify the abuse.


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The National Retail Federation (NRF) is hoping its video contest will spark interest in the retail industry, which supports one in four American jobs.
As part of its multi-faceted Retail Means Jobs campaign, NRF is hosting "This is Retail," to find "the best retail stories in America — from marketing geniuses to customer service superstars to small business owners, who are the fabric of every local community," NRF president and CEO Matthew Shay, said in a news release. "NRF's This is Retail contest will put a face on an industry that is seamlessly woven into the fabric of America."
To participate in the contest, retail employees or business owners will submit a 2-minute video sharing their retail story and compete to win up to $25,000.
NRF will accept video submissions through Friday.
After a panel of retail executives narrows the videos down to twenty, finalists will be prominently featured on RetailMeansJobs.com, and winners will be chosen based on votes.
Winners will be announced during NRF's Washington Leadership Conference in May. The first place winner will receive $25,000, second place will receive $15,000, and third place will receive $10,000.
Read more about marketing.
Topics: Marketing , Social Media


text: Exciting Breaking News!The Wine Works Is Branching Out. The Olive Branch Oil and Balsamic Tasting Bar at The Wine Works is now open for tasting. We are very excited about offering a new taste experience to you. Drop in to see the changes that we've made to the place, we think you'll like what we've done! Now we would like to welcome you to our home away from home. The Wine Works has been operating for over 20 years and through those years we have made great friends with all of our clients. Actually, it really doesn't feel like we work here at all, it is more of a place to come and socialize but miraculously the work gets done, the wines get made and now we have even more to talk about. For those of you who haven't met us, I'll make some introductions. Blair is our in house sommelier. Who knew that someone who skipped so many classes as a kid to play hooky on the golf course and the local ski hill could score highest in his Sommelier Class? At last, he has found his calling which goes to show you it is what you do, not when you do it, that matters. So if you have any questions about wine, he's your man. Fiona is Blair's wife. She is the mastermind behind the operation (she is also the author of this little piece of literature, as such, she can take great liberties with what is written). She is still completely baffled that she has managed in small business for so long having had no entrepreneurial background. "It is a miracle, we must be doing something right!" and I guess we are because otherwise, it just wouldn't be this much fun. You really have to enjoy what you do because you spend so much time doing it! Then there is Ingrid. Ingrid and Fiona go way back to a career in the brokerage industry of Vancouver. Gone are the high heels and power suits of our youth, bring on the rubber boots and chicken poop. Things have definitely changed since the late eighties, thank goodness our hair styles have changed too. Now comes Dan. He is just great, what a chatty guy. There is no way you can have an off day when you are working with Dan. He is a ray of sunshine on a cloudy day! Dan recently got a dog, he is like a new parent, it is really pretty cute to listen to his dog tales. In June 2014, Dan went in for a hip replacement and he missed his Wine Works family so much he hardly took any time to recover. That is pretty much all of us, unless you come to visit on a Saturday. On that day you may also meet our daughters, Erin and Alex. Yes, their parents are slave drivers and make them work sometimes. It is called work ethic girls! The sooner you learn it, the better. Not only are they well versed in the world of wine, they are now fully immersed in oil and vinegar! So that is all of us and what we do is make wine. I should rephrase, we make really good wine and we have a ton of fun while doing it. You simply must join us, it will be a hoot!


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Some GOP attorneys who have looked at the FEC complaint see no violations of criminal law. They warn that campaign finance laws can be complex and that technical violations are commonplace.
"My reading of the complaint tells me it is not a serious matter," said Cleta Mitchell, a campaign lawyer with the political law practice of Foley & Lardner in Washington, D.C. "But I also know that it is hard, if not impossible, to avoid breaking some of these laws every day in a campaign. We can only hope the OCE and the FBI aren't interjecting themselves where they have no business going."
The original FEC allegations center on the suggestion that Short and others arranged to pay Sorenson $7,500 a month from Short's company, C&M Strategies, for Sorenson's work on the Iowa Bachmann campaign.
In an affidavit to the Iowa Senate earlier this month, Sorenson denied being paid directly or indirectly by any "Bachmann entities." That contradicts an earlier affidavit from Parrish describing an "arrangement" to pay Sorenson through Short's company. Parrish's affidavit said Bachmann was aware of the arrangement, but thought it was legal.
Bachmann has maintained a public silence on the matter.
Another allegation suggests that Short's company received $40,000 from Bachmann's PAC in the final two months of the Iowa caucus contest, a time when he was working full time on her presidential campaign. That could be a potential violation of campaign finance laws that bar federal candidates from using their PACs to coordinate with or subsidize their campaigns.
Some analysts say that to spark the FBI's interest, there would have to be an element of embezzlement or fraud. Mitchell noted that the transactions were duly reported to the FEC. "Embezzlers don't disclose their payments usually," she said.
Waldron and other former Bachmann campaign insiders argue that Short would have been misrepresenting the PAC expenditures to the FEC if he were, in fact, being compensated to work for the campaign. They also question how the payments to Short were authorized at a time when they and others on the campaign were being asked to work without pay.
DeLacy, disputing any wrongdoing, said the payments were for work he did for the PAC, not the Bachmann campaign.
Follow Kevin Diaz on Twitter at StribDiaz


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I want to kill a hearty vine. I want to get rid of it and plant some shrubs and flowers in the same area.
Does anyone have an opinion about these vine killers: Vine-X
Lilly Miller Brush, Blackberry, and Vine Killer
Thanks for any help! Athene |
Follow-Up Postings:
- Posted by karyn1 MD 7 (email@example.com) on Wed, Apr 2, 08 at 22:54
I tried Vine-X on a Campsis radicans (Trumpet vine) with poor results. Some of the vines were killed off but most of the established plants came back or didn't completely die back. It's supposed to remain effective for over a month after application and can't be washed off. I've never heard of the other one. I'd be interested in hearing how that one works. Karyn |
- Posted by bullthistle (My Page) on Wed, Apr 2, 08 at 22:55
This is stronger then Lilly Miller http://doitbest.com/Weed+control+and+insecticide_+fungicide+control-Green+Light-model-40004-doitbest-sku-704670.dib but Vinex is stronger then GL, but do you want to be brushing it on? I checked into once and figured I'd be brushing all day. |
Here is a link that might be useful: Propagating Perennials
- Posted by Roger(firstname.lastname@example.com) onThu, Jun 16, 11 at 22:51
I have use Vine X on Buckthorn. Cut the Buckthorn, an invasive, to the ground. Put the Vine X on the remaing stump. It does kill the invasive plant so it does not come back. If you cut the trunk so there is a couple of feet of stump above the ground it will grow back. Vine X does kill the buckthorn if done properly. I've used it with other stumps and there is never any more growth. Great pruduct. |
Use 'Brush-B-gone', Brush Master or Hi-Yield Kill-zall - all of these three are excellent. They work by the leaves carrying the chemicals to the roots and killing the whole plant. |
- Posted by soapynurse 6/7 (My Page) on Tue, Jun 21, 11 at 17:09
I have a large square flower bed that has been overtaken by vinca vine. I don't know how to get rid of it and I'm hesitant to use the chemicals because there are hundreds of daffodils in the bed also. Also encroaching on the bed is the neighbors pawpaw tree and some other weed that has grown up in one corner. Help me please. Alice |
- Posted by purpleinopp 8b AL (My Page) on Wed, Jun 22, 11 at 11:19
What kind of vine are you trying to kill? Where is it? |
- Posted by soapynurse none (My Page) on Mon, Jun 27, 11 at 11:47
I'm trying to rid a flower bed of vinca vine that also contains hundreds of daffodils. Any suggestions? Alice |
- Posted by s(email@example.com) onThu, Aug 11, 11 at 10:08
I had a bottle of Vine-x years ago & loved it. I successfully killed a very small tree, well established grape vine & other stuff I don't know the names of. To kill the larger things, I cut off near the ground & made cuts into the remaining stump & applied Vine-x liberally. Don't have the stuff anymore & wish I could find it again in SE Michigan. It was expensive but I loved it. |
I had a virginia creeper over running the whole side of my deck, under it too. I took nippers to it, yanked off as much as I possibly could. Then took Round-up and applied it directly onto the stump of the vine. Nothing of it has returned so far. You might want to mix up a fairly strong batch of Round-up and take a paintbrush and brush it onto the offending plants you wish to be rid of. Just be sure not to get it on anything else, only the plant you want to get rid of. Also, do it when it's below 90 outside and not going to rain any time that day. So the chemical doesn't go onto anything else in the area. |
I think what Ament suggested is your best bet because of the proximity of the desirable plants to the vinca. Unfortunately that means a lot of tedious work because you'll have to brush every vinca stem with the herbicide. I'd cut the vines back leaving only about 2" of stem and then brush the cut ends. You can also use a syringe with a small gauge needle and inject the stems with the herbicide but that's even more work. |
It's worked for me so far. The monster creeper hasn't returned. Who ever planted it here for whatever ignorant reason planted this particular monster right next to a support pillar for the deck. I'll never understand why that was done. Right beside a concrete pad, alongside the 4x4 pillar holding up the deck on that corner. :( Now I have this horrendous root/stumpy thing there. I don't have the grrr to prune the stump part away. So I just have to leave that part. But so far, it doesn't appear to be returning. I took it down and slathered it in June, also did this same treatment to over grown Lilacs that were nothing but major headaches because the prior owners planted them butted up against a fence right beside a retaining wall. Of all places... a retaining wall! Ugh! So far, no suckers returning on those either. ;) A bit of effort to do the job, but well worth it in my book. ~Tina |
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"Wedding Planner Phuket" is a wedding planner services that specialist in making your dreams become true. We believe in the love that you both share together and for the need for that love to be reflected and highlighted on your special day. It doesn't matter how long it takes you from there to your big day, we cherish you and your dreams.
Phuket Wedding - Weddings in Phuket are stress free with Romantic Phuket Weddings. We plan your day with you and then take care of all the details so that you can enjoy your dream wedding in Phuket.


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Post Office, Mailers Are at an Historic Juncture
Of the $46 billion dollars USPS collected in postage for market-dominant products in which it owns a monopoly, nearly $36 billion was accounted for by Standard Mail, Flats, and presort First Class Mail paid for by business mailers. |
The symbiotic relationship between USPS and bulk mailers is currently at an historic juncture, with the USPS struggling for its very survival and mailers dealing with an unprecedented "exigent" rate increase to help offset a steady 30% decline in First Class Mail and competition from the Internet. As it concluded its most recent fiscal year last September, the Postal Service declared a net loss of $5 billion and had posted losses in 19 of its previous 21 quarters. |
more >> |
Postal Chatter
- DMA's Chris Oswald on Direct Marketers' ...
- Sen. Tom Carper On Passing Postal ...
- USPS Sales Chief Tells Mailers What ...
- The Postal Service's Best Customers
- Getting Sorted with Hamilton Davison
- Talking Innovation With the USPS CMO
- What's New at the USPS in 2014?
- Meet the DMA's Woman in Washington
- Talking Exigency With the Deputy PMG
Postal Scoop
USPS Seeks New Measurements for Market Dominant Products
Internal methods would replace external systems for First Class and Standard Mail, as well as packages and periodicals.
IMpb Codes Now Required for Commercial Package Pricing
SMBs as well as large enterprises can now find savings with investments in IMpb's.
NY Times: The Catalog Lives!
The national paper of record makes it official: Despite digital alternatives, use of catalogs is on the rise.
The 3 Pillars of Customer Lifetime Value
Direct mail is far from dead, especially when it comes to customer lifetime value.
Mail Matters
Winterberry Group
Catamount Marketing


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Back to childhood
This photo was shot on film. Taken by pistache with a Pentax Asahi Me loaded with Fuji Superia 400 (35mm) film in Toulouse, France. These tags describe this photo: backtochildhood, back-seat, balloons, ballons, and baudruche. Date: 2012-01. This photo can also be found in the album PENTAX ASAHI ME.Please login to get more out of this site
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Ad Index
All of our ads in the weekly paper online. All the time.
Riverfront Times' advertisers are more than just advertisers. Their ads keep us informed of special offers, performances, new releases and products, and jobs and services available in the St. Louis area.
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Title | Content Type | File Type |
AD7327: 500 kSPS, 8-Channel, Software-Selectable, True Bipolar Input, 12-Bit Plus Sign ADC Data Sheet (Rev B, 01/2014) (pdf, 749 kB)
Data Sheets | |
UG-419: Evaluating the AD7327/AD7328 (pdf, 1634 kB) | User Guides | |
MS-2210: Designing Power Supplies for High Speed ADC (pdf, 327 kB) | Technical Articles | |
RAQs index | Rarely Asked Questions | HTML |
Glossary of EE Terms | Glossary | HTML |
Title | Content Type | File Type |
BeMicro FPGA Project for AD7327 with Nios driver | FPGA HDL | HTML |
AD7327 FMC-SDP Interposer & Evaluation Board / Xilinx KC705 Reference Design | Device Drivers | HTML |
Symbols and Footprints— Analog Devices offers Symbols & Footprints which are compatible with a large set of today's CAD systems for broader and easier support.
Recommended Input Buffer Amplifiers for the AD7327
Recommended External References for the AD7327
Recommended Voltage Regulators for the AD7327Were these recommendations helpful?
The USA list pricing shown is for BUDGETARY USE ONLY, shown in United States dollars (FOB USA per unit for the stated volume), and is subject to change. International prices may differ due to local duties, taxes, fees and exchange rates. For volume-specific price or delivery quotes, please contact your local Analog Devices, Inc. sales office or authorized distributor. Pricing displayed for Evaluation Boards and Kits is based on 1-piece pricing.


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Canadian financier, industrialist, and business visionary Sir Henry Pellatt modeled the Casa Loma castle on the style of art and architecture he came to admire when touring similar castles throughout Europe. Today, the structure endures mainly as a testament to the culture and lifestyle of the Toronto elite during early 20th Century. Visitors can tour the grounds on their own or with a group while learning about the family, the Edwardian heritage, and?most importantly?the architecture and history of the landmark castle atop the hill.
1859: Henry Pellatt was born in Kingston, Ontario
1882?1902: Pellatt became a millionaire by investing in various mining, insurance, land, and electricity prospects
1905: Pellatt was knighted for his military service by the Queen's Own Rifles
1911: Working with Canadian architect E.J. Lennox, Pellatt helped design his dream home?a Medieval-inspired castle
1914?1924: Economic hardships eventually forced Sir Henry and Lady Mary Pellatt to sell Casa Loma
2014: After failed attempts to transform the residence into a hotel, a school, a museum, and an art gallery over the years, Liberty Entertainment Group chose to preserve the historic structure
Self-guided tours of Casa Loma and the surrounding area are available throughout the year. Here are some highlights worth seeing:
Great hall on the main floor: This room serves as a focal point within the castle, complete with 60-foot ceilings and sculpted figures adorning the pillars.
Sir Henry Pellatt's master suite on the second floor: Mahogany and walnut walls keep with the home's luxuriant spirit. This room also features a hidden compartment beside the fireplace where Sir Henry Pellatt would conceal secret documents.
Carriage House and Stables: Connected to Casa Loma by an 800-ft. tunnel which runs 18ft below Austin Terrace. The tunnel features an exhibit of Toronto?s Dark Side, which tells the story in archival photographs of Prohibition, The Depression, The Plague, The Great Toronto Fire, and Toronto?s first plane crash. The carriage house features an Automotive Exhibit featuring vintage automobiles from the early 1900?s.
Estate gardens: The five acres of lush flora surrounding Casa Loma showcase ornate sculptures and fountains as well as meticulously tended displays of perennials and a wooded hillside filled with wildflowers, ferns, rhododendrons, and decorative grasses.
To deliver more insight into the Pellatt family's optimistic construction and tragic loss of Casa Loma, the castle screens a 22-minute docudrama on the rise and fall of the estate. Narrated by Colin Mochrie, this docudrama adopts the tone of a 1939 newsreel as it tracks Sir Henry's resounding business successes, followed by his gradual financial undoing.
A community presence in Ottawa for more than 140 years, YMCA-YWCA of the National Capital Region remains true to its mission of physical and social enrichment for men, women, and kids of all ages across all seven of its facilities. Staff members uphold the YMCA's core values of honesty, acceptance, and fairness as they invest in their community's children and strengthen family bonds critically weakened by overzealous games of Monopoly. They pump up adult fitness regimens with aquatic fitness and boot-camp classes, personal training, and full gymnasiums outfitted with equipment for basketball, soccer, and rope skipping. They've also filled their fitness centres with free weights, cardio equipment, and weight machines. When they're not helping adults trim down waistlines during yoga, boxing, and salsa-dance classes, staff members are getting back in touch with their inner children. They stimulate imagination, mental development, and growth as they lead children's day camps, after-school programs, birthday parties, and outdoor education.
These YMCA-YWCA outposts are dedicated to helping all members of the community. They provide those in need with emergency and youth housing, employment services, and domestic-violence support programs. They further strengthen and unite the Ottawa community through the YActive Assist program, which adjusts membership rates to help families that can't afford the full cost of any of YMCA's progressive programs.
Working with one of the country's most famous artists might cause some to rest on their laurels, but for Patricia Corsini, the years she spent as a personal assistant and photographer to renowned artist Robert Bateman only pushed her to keep exploring. Robert's sweet tooth led Patricia to culinary school at George Brown College, after which she became executive chef of Cook Gourmet Inc., where culinary experts show aspiring cooks how to craft elegant dishes.
In one of the company's many cooking classes, Sunshine en Provence courses lead students through each step of creating a bistro-style meal, and Some Like It Haute! sessions focus on stylish summertime meals. Classes are taught in a gourmet kitchen with a wide assembly of tools at students' disposal.
Cook Gourmet Inc.'s crew also caters events small and large, even providing personal-chef services for clients' dinner parties.
Crunch caters to exercisers of all interests and fitness levels, cramming each state-of-the-art fitness facility with name-brand equipment and a welcoming, nonjudgmental attitude. Members have the opportunity to pay for access to each club's diverse syllabi of classes, organized into categories such as action sports, chill outs, and dance rhythms. DIESEL classes incorporate interval training with cardio interval bursts for a total-body workout. Fat Burning Pilates combines cardio- and Pilates-based toning to help cut out cellulite. Aerobics with an Attitude sends students in a free-spirited dance workout without any rules or judgment. Crunch also offers personal-training sessions that begin with a physical assessment and include a comprehensive body-composition analysis. One-on-one drills foster the seeds of self-improvement, as this level of personal attention allows the experts to forge an engaging workout as well as a custom nutrition plan for each exerciser.
Even if clients can't make it to the gym, Crunch Live turns any living room or office into a workout space with an online video library of over 35 workouts. Students sweat and move along at home to easy-to-follow exercise routines led by energetic trainers as they tone targeted muscle groups and burn fat with courses in yoga, core strength, workouts for athletes, or Pilates.
Spread across 270 historic acres, Knollwood Golf Course is a challenging 36-hole facility comprised of the Old Course set right alongside the New Course?both designed by well-regarded course superintendent Jack Harris in 1970 and 1990, respectively. Players can opt for a round on the Old Course or the New Course links and enjoy hole designs that embrace the natural Ancaster topography. Elevated tees and long, perplexing par 5 holes with ominous names such as Buried Treasure and Redemption lead to finely timed fairways that open up into stirring panoramas. The New Course entices advanced club swingers, and the Old Course's more accessible series of par 4 holes with large, accommodating greens is appealing for beginners.
Knollwood players don clean-cut golf attire and enjoy a golfer's paradise that has been open to the public since 1970 and keeps players happy with sprightly paced 10-minute tee times, on-site restaurants and beverage carts, and a "no-argue" rain cheque policy. The facility's proud groundskeepers maintain large, naturalized areas on the course intended to encourage the wildlife to thrive and occasionally join in on a game.
Reshmi Chetram has been dazzling audiences on the dance floor with vibrant costumes and explosive movements for more than 16 years. Following the fancy footsteps of her mother—who founded both the Tarana Dance Centre and Natya Arts Productions—she has studied classical Indian dance, Kathak, in New Delhi under the guidance of renowned Indian-dance guru Pandit Birju Maharaj. She has also studied Bollywood and contemporary Indian dance in Toronto and abroad. In 2008, she channelled her dance skills to create BollyFuze (formerly known as BollyFit), a full-body conditioning program that helps students of all ages and abilities get whipped into shape with a blend of traditional Indian dance moves and aerobic exercise steps. She and her team of certified BollyFuze instructors lead clients in burning calories and sculpting fitter physiques in classes including the high-intensity BollyFuze Cardio, low-intensity BollyFuze Rhythm, and fun-filled BollyTots.
Extending her knowledge beyond the workout studio, Reshmi hosts her own BollyFuze television series. She and her instructors lead Bollywood-dance-inspired workouts that patrons can join in the comforts of their own homes without needing to make 1,000 friends.